M-W faculty concert this Saturday will feature tunes from Chopin to Ellington to Sondheim

Central Valley - The performers are ready, their instruments are tuned and the stage has been swept for the 18th annual Monroe-Woodbury Faculty Recital this Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in the Monroe-Woodbury High School Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Souza Scholarship for the Performing Arts and the Monroe-Woodbury Music Boosters. Over the years, more than $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded to talented students in the name of the late M-W music teacher, Robert W. Souza. At this year’s benefit, listeners will hear M-W’s music faculty and friends playing and singing an eclectic mix of selections, ranging from classical pieces, to movie music, to Broadway, and from Chopin, to Ellington and Sondheim, including along the way traditional, folk and spiritual music, in solos, choral groups, and ensembles. Among the performances, M-W Middle School string teacher Huadong Lu will play violin on the “Theme from “Schindler’s List” by John Williams, accompanied by Doris Bjorkman on Piano. “Playing in the faculty recital has been one of the best experiences of my musical career,” Huadong said. “ I am proud to be part of an effort to raise funds for the scholarships for our very talented and committed students.” In the popular music vein, soprano Michele George will perform Stephen Schwartz’s “Popular,” from the Broadway musical “Wicked. “ Soprano Merrette Rentmeester also will sing “Move On,” a Stephen Sondheim song from “Sunday in the Park with George,” accompanied on piano by Steven Wing. Wing, an accomplished cabaret performer in his own right, will treat the audience to a selection from his repertoire. He will also accompany Jeanette Russell of Central Valley on Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes.” Middle School music teacher Keith Sherman, who organized the Faculty Recital Big Band’s performance, said his commitment to this cause was prompted by his personal connection to Bob Souza. “In January 1978, I replaced Bob, starting as a two-month leave replacement. I have been teaching at Monroe-Woodbury ever since. Bob Souza was a wonderful man -- he often came into my classes when he was feeling well enough, and assisted the students and myself. I was extremely fortunate to have him as my mentor, especially since this was my first teaching experience.” Sherman said that his Big Band consists of seven teachers from M-W, one former student (Barton Schindler), and eight players from the New York Swing Exchange, which has been performing in the area for about nine years. “When I approached the NYSE about filling the chairs needed for a fund raiser at M-W,” he said, “they were excited and jumped at the opportunity for such a worthwhile cause.” This year, the Faculty Chorale, which traditionally ends the show, will be conducted for the first time by North Main/Central Valley music teacher Patricia Murray. We’re fortunate to have such a talented group of faculty and friends working with our children in Monroe-Woodbury,” Murray said. ”It’s rewarding for me both personally and professionally to be conducting a group of this caliber, and I believe the music that’s been chosen will appeal to a wide range of listeners.” Monroe-Woodbury District Music Coordinator Linda Dziuban is understandably proud of the music faculty at Monroe-Woodbury, which has once again been cited on the list of the “Best 100 Communities for Music Education” survey. “All of us who have the privilege of teaching the special students at M-W feel the need to give something back to the community for all support we receive on a daily basis,” she said. “Presenting this concert is an honor, something we genuinely enjoy doing. It’s all about celebrating the joy of creating music.” Tickets for the 18th annual Monroe-Woodbury Faculty Recital are $7 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. All proceeds will benefit the Monroe-Woodbury Music Boosters and the Souza Scholarship.